Up close with Miss Universe Kenya Gaylyne Ayugi

Miss Universe Kenya is a national pageant that was first held in 1987. Until last year, the last competition of its kind was held in 2005. On January 25, a new Miss Universe will be crowned in Doral, Florida in the US. The reigning Miss Universe Kenya is Gaylyne Ayugi. The model and beauty queen, who is currently in Miami shares what her journey has been like in this exclusive interview:

Tell us a bit about yourself, family, school….

I am a 20-year-old who likes to model, dance and listen to Afro-house music. I also like hanging out with my friends, who like taking selfies and trying out new trends. Can you add a smiley face to that? Lol. I have three sisters and one brother, and yes, my mum, like most mums, has gone to great lengths to ensure that I have had nothing but the best. I went to Kilimani primary school and later joined St. Nicholas Senior School and recently I joined Zetech University to pursue a course in journalism.

How did you hear about the competition, the process…the challenges, highs and lows?

I have been modelling for about a year now and I always love taking on new challenges. So when one of my friends posted about the auditions for Miss Universe Kenya on our WhatsApp group, I knew I was up for the challenge. One of the highs was actually my boyfriend doing lots to encourage me to go all in. Turned out he was right, it was something new and interesting seeing as most of my previous modeling experiences had only been high fashion.

So I auditioned and I was picked. Then things started happening all so fast. We had fittings and training right from the second day which posed a bit of a challenge considering I had school to attend, but it worked out fine when some of my classes were moved from morning to afternoon. Before long, it was the actual d-day and I went in, not knowing what my fate would be. I had confidence that I would do my level best, but the actual winning really humbled me. My hard work had shone through and this became the beginning of my journey to the World Finals in Doral, Florida.

The preparations to get me ready to go against other international beauty queens have been intense. From exercising to etiquette, wardrobe changes and workout schedules as well as beauty regimens to bold walks and twirls, press briefings et al, to say it has been exhilarating would be an understatement. This has been a once in a lifetime experience and I have been enjoying every step of the way.

Has your family been supportive?

I had not informed any of my family members at the beginning, I therefore did not have the luxury to train as long as the other competitors since I had to be at home at a specific time. However after they found out, they have been very supportive and have been cheering me on. They are my number one fans and critics.

Are you currently involved in or planning to pursue any charity work?

Yes I am involved in some charity work although this is not necessarily a requirement with this title. Nonetheless I felt the need to reach out and work with our officers, specifically the fallen soldiers within the Administrative Police.

Why are you part of this particular cause?

This cause came about in the wake of insecurity our country faced at the end of last year. And while we mourned the police officers who were killed in the line of duty in Kapedo and Lamu, no one really sat back and thought about those they had left behind. Of course they had relatives and close friends probably streaming into their houses to grieve and condole with them, but that was it.

Therefore the need to reach out to them, a complete stranger, and remind them that they were not alone and that we would walk with them from there on, bearing in mind that most had not only lost their husbands or wives, but had lost breadwinners.

What was your personal experience coming into contact with these families, especially the families of the fallen soldiers of Kapedo and how did that have an impact on you?

Visiting the families was heart wrenching. It was hard to watch grown men and women weeping for their lost children, it was even harder to watch the wives breakdown uncontrollably. The one that must have yanked at my heart the most was visiting the grave of a 22-year-old boy. He was truly young. May his soul rest in peace. These visits only propelled me to want to do more than just go to share in their sorrow by empathising. There is a lot to be done for these families. You will have to watch this space for more to come.

How is your experience in Miami so far?

Living on Donald Trump’s property has so far been heaven on earth. The rooms are amazing. We literary have roads blocked when we are heading out, you would think it’s the president. We always have police escort. I have received lots of gifts and pampering and my fellow contestants have been so cool. It has also been wonderful getting to meet people like Donald Trump and American fashion designer and businesswoman Sherri Hill.

What will you do if you win?

If I win I will be honoured to effect change in the world through the Miss Universe organisation that seeks to offer better life experiences to all. With it I will also be able to not only reach out to more fallen hero families in my country, but the world over.

Win or lose I would like to continue championing my cause with the APs as their amicus so as to ensure that these families left behind have food on their table, affordable health insurance and put their children through school.

How about if you don’t? What next?

The wheel will have to keep turning and the story must go on, as they say, but like I said, I am very excited to continue my work with the APs and I hope to take it to great heights and really leave a mark. Hopefully, I can venture into other new and exciting opportunities in the fashion world as well…we’ll have to wait and see.